Pekin's Jacob Manley joins others who have been afflicted by brain cancer at fundraising walk

The lowest point in Pekin High School sophomore Jacob Manley's life came when he was 6 years old, after he fell off his bike and suffered a concussion on April 5, 2004. The concussion wasn't the bad part. While examining Manley, doctors found a slow growing tumor in his brain, a condition...

By VIKAAS SHANKER

Journal Star

By VIKAAS SHANKER

Posted Sep. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 28, 2013 at 3:43 PM

By VIKAAS SHANKER

Posted Sep. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 28, 2013 at 3:43 PM

The lowest point in Pekin High School sophomore Jacob Manley's life came when he was 6 years old, after he fell off his bike and suffered a concussion on April 5, 2004.

The concussion wasn't the bad part. While examining Manley, doctors found a slow growing tumor in his brain, a condition known as juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma.

"I was really heartbroken," Manley said.

His family was wondering why it took hours for the doctors to make an official diagnosis.

"When they come in and they shut that door, the minute that you hear 'brain tumor,' it was like a big black hole opened up in the room," said Brandi Wallis, Manley's mother.

"But I had a lot of family there and they stuck by me through everything," Manley said.

Manley feels that the love and support he received during the six long years he battled brain cancer were a major part to his complete recovery.

Keeping that support in mind, he is lending his own thoughts and words of encouragement to other brain cancer patients and survivors as a volunteer for the 11th annual Mark Linder Walk for the Mind fundraising event for research being held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on the Peoria Riverplex.

Also at the 1-mile walk will be U.S. District Chief Judge James E. Shadid, who lost his brother in 2005 to brain cancer and has been participating in the walk since then.

"When he died, I had a sense of awareness of what others really go through," Shadid said. "Until you go through it, you have no idea."

Shadid is the guest speaker for the walk and will talk about his appreciation for what it accomplishes.

The event is named after Mark Linder, a Peorian who started it in 2003 as a summit where survivors and those still battling can support each other and raise money for research.

Linder himself was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was in his 20s. He died in 2005, and the event has continued under the direction of organizer Peggy Flannigan.

"Mark was very caring and devoted to the cause," said Flannigan, who met Linder at the first walk, then joined the event committee. "When he died, I don't think he realized the snowball effect he had on people."

Flannigan is a product of that effect as a survivor.

"At the first one, when I saw 11 other survivors, it was a unique experience for me," Flannigan said. "Now we typically have four dozen other survivors show up."

Survivors enter for free, while for other participants the registration fee is $20 (or $10 for children under age 10). The fees and donations will go to the University of Illinois Foundation to fund research on cancerous cells and tumors of the brain in the College of Medicine at Peoria.

Researchers are also trying to manipulate the molecules in cancer cells using gene therapy to inhibit the growth of cells.

Haney said that because federal funding for research has significantly declined, fundraisers are especially important and participants should be proud.

"They should know that the money that they raise stays in Peoria for research in Peoria," Haney said. "They're making a difference for research and for each other."

Manley will be one of the survivors comforting those currently battling cancer at the "Survivor's Table."

"I tell them about how I had a tumor and I hug them too," Manley said. "It's a huge impact. Because to have it and fight it alone is a lot to handle."

Every year Manley walks with his older cousin, Ashley, who is fighting her own battle against a brain tumor. He feels he serves an important purpose as a role model to her despite their age difference.

And today, as they both walk alongside the estimated 700 supporters for brain cancer research, Manley will hold his cousin's hand, showing her she isn't alone.